Apprentice Ruby Ride in appeal victory

Apprentice Ruby Ride has won an appeal over a conviction for verbally abusing a steward about the state of the Eagle Farm track.

Ride was fined $500 for allegedly swearing at steward Martin Knibbs at the Eagle Farm meeting on March 14.

She denied she had used such language.

Ride appealed to the Queensland Racing Disciplinary Board which quashed her conviction.

In a written judgment which became public on Friday, Judge Bill Carter said there was no dispute Ride had made a comment about the state of the Eagle Farm track when she weighed in.

It was also not disputed Knibbs then said: “If the track doesn’t suit you it is best you don’t ride here. You ride at Toowoomba, Chinchilla, and Bullamakanka and you want to come to town and bag the tracks here.”

Judge Carter said, however, there was conflict between Ride, who denied using abusive words, and Knibbs’ version of events.

Judge Carter said in the circumstances Knibbs should have withdrawn and let other stewards decide the inquiry.

He said because Knibbs had not retired, Ride had not got natural justice and the appeal had to be upheld.